4.07.2013

April 7

I’ve been feeling a little under the weather for the past few days, but I wanted to pop in. I promise not to breathe on you.

June is going to be seven months old on April 9, this Tuesday, which would have been my dad’s 84th birthday. Brandon says that she has my eyes, and if it’s true, then she has my dad’s eyes, because that’s where I got mine.

She and I are flying to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, to visit my mother. June’s first trip to my hometown, to the house where I grew up! It feels like a big deal. But if you’re on our plane, I would like to apologize in advance: June is chatty, and by chatty, I actually mean screechy, shrieky, chirpy, gargly, and generally deafening. It’s totally adorable, and then you lose your hearing.

In any case, we were roughhousing in the living room this afternoon, before Brandon went to work, and I took these pictures. I don’t know how to explain it, but June is developing a real sense of humor. She’s a very funny person. Or maybe I’m just amused because I am her mother. Probably. I’m going soft.

I have a cream cheese pound cake recipe to share with you shortly, as soon as I can type it up - before I leave, I hope! - but in the meantime, some nice things for your Monday:

55 Comments:

Hi Molly, as someone who traveled 20,000 air miles (that's 40 hours of flying!) with a toddler within three weeks last month, let me tell you that you can do it, that June will be just fine on the flight, even if she "chats" the whole time.

Last month, I traveled from Seattle to Honolulu to Auckland to Honolulu to Seattle to Kauai and back to Seattle with my son in March (yeah, seriously), and I feel like I could probably write a book entitled "All About Flying with Toddlers."

But the main lesson I learned is this: If the parent can be strong and handle the situation (and not stress out about other people's reactions), then the parent will ultimately end up in control (which will leave all the other initially-irritated passengers quite impressed and not so annoyed anymore). And that equals a pleasant flight for all.

We took our three kids to England and Ireland when our youngest was seven months old. That baby did not stop chattering, and shrieking and ba-ba-ba-ing throughout the entire trip. I had to leave a tour of the Globe Theater because of his happy sounds. Nonstop.

Well. I will warn you. That kid is now 11 years old, and he has rarely stopped talking. Rarely. The ones that enjoy the sound of their own voices as babies do not seem to grow out of it. Prepare yourself for a life of listening. Mostly entertaining; sometimes mind-numbing. But mostly entertaining.

I've always thought that the last half of a baby's first year is the welcome payback for the trials of pregnancy and childbirth! Yes...they do 'get the joke' all of a sudden...and it allows each family to create its own set of silly games that they play together...in order to cause this wonderful, raucous laugh......and occasionally, these games are still 'trotted out' for a laugh with grown children! (But I'm not naming names!) :) XO-

Oh goodness. She's a adorable. A good friend of mine had a baby girl - also named June! - at the end of August. Every time I see her I'm surprised with how much her little personality has grown. I hope your trip is a good one and that you get patient, friendly baby-smiling-at airline seatmates.

true story: a good friend once traveled form LA to Seattle, two hours, maybe, by plane? with her one year old. by the time they hit SeaTac, the entire plane had been treated to complimentary booze. three rounds.

she does look like she's got a sense of humor! I love when they develop that. I think we all think our children are the world's best comedians. I love the thought of your dad's eyes being passed down. Hope the flight goes well and you feel better soon.

We haven't tried flying with baby yet but I have friends who take along bribes (chocolate, ear plugs) and buy drinks for their fellow passengers when they travel with theirs... but June is so very cute she'll win them all over I'm sure. Happy travels!

She's a cute thing! I remember realizing how much personality these little creatures come with and being totally blown away by it. The personality and the fact it was there. My oldest is almost 7 and the things we noticed at 7 days are still defining features of her personality.Have a great trip home.

yes this cream cheese pound cake sounds like what i need. yes! oh traveling with children... it certainly makes you wonder how you ever found flying alone troublesome? a book, a snack, and hours of quiet.... but my three year old now is quite smitten with the whole flying experience, narrating each move the plane makes as it ascends into the clouds (at the top of his lungs mind you, but other passengers seem to think its amusing at least) and that in itself makes it all worth it.

Molly get June some "Earplanes Junior" earplugs - will help her little ears not feel the pressure changes on takeoff and landings - which often is what makes them cry. You can usually find them in airport shops. Happy travels - she is a darling!

What beautiful, beautiful photos, Molly. Thank you for sharing with us. Enjoy the flight -- "Daytona's" comment about the parent being strong and handling the situation *despite other people's reactions* is totally on the money. I find that when I freak out on my kids in public it is often because I'm worried about what other people are thinking, and don't want them to think I'm letting them get away with anything. What silliness! You can do it. I've flown with both my girls, and we always come out the other side relatively unscathed. :) And if you're lucky, you'll have a lovely older woman sitting beside you (as I did on my last flight with my youngest), who entertained her the entire time and only smiled and cooed when she fussed. Perfect.Enjoy!

While I do not have a ton of experience either flying or doing such with toddlers, none of the noises you described, even if deafening, should make your fellow passengers too cranky. I have found "happy" toddler noises, even if ear-splitting, are far better than crying. If all else fails, simply take that picture of June with the grin from ear-to-ear and the sun shining in the background. If anybody so much as peeks over the seat, just flash it to them. Only the supremely dead inside and terrorists would be immune to that face. Either way, you'll know what kind of person and can alert the onboard Air Marshall accordingly. :) P.S. The comment about June having your eyes and therefore your Father's eyes actually made my eyes tear up. Thank you for the memory.

Re travel, I recommend the Sit n Stroll. It won't replace your usual stroller or car seat at home, but the combo makes traveling with baby so much easier. It's great to use on board if you buy baby a seat or there happens to be an empty seat available. And you don't have to lug a separate car seat.

I love how you are completely in tune with your little gal. I'm certain she is and will be how you describe her. Her sweet face makes me smile. Clearly she is given much love and attention and is returning the love with her chatter. Precious!

Congratulations on your gorgeous baby girl! Beautiful photos. I also love the Mr Rogers clip. I watched and loved that show when I was a child growing up in Connecticut. Now that I live in England nobody has the frame of reference, really nice blast from the past! Safe travels.

We moved to Spain temporarily and brought our three along on the journey. You'll do fine. Just make sure that you GO TO THE BATHROOM before you get on the plane. No time for that mama nonsense when you've got a little one in tote.

What a treat to get to eat at Delancey (and guzzle some cocktails at Essex AND get to meet you and June briefly) this week! My mom and I trekked miles around Seattle the last few days- a marathon of walking and eating- and your restaurant was a highlight.

Don't worry. Once I flew from Cardiff to Barcelona with my (then) 2 girls and fortunately for us, people can't open plane windows, because someone would have thrown them away. And my wife and me afterwards!

you might not see this comment, but I wanted to know what type of polaroid you use. Love the sweet pictures of little June. Also, thank you for your postpartum depression post, it hit home, and I was grateful for your words. xo